Cope twins, Cobb make Nationwide history

NEWTON - The good ol' boys will have a little more female company Sunday.

Women in auto racing isn't new, but the number in the NASCAR Nationwide lineup at Iowa Speedway will be.

Twin sisters, Angela and Amber Cope and Jennifer Jo Cobb will start the NASCAR Nationwide Series Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 at the Central Iowa track, making it the first time three women have competed in a Nationwide Series race. The race is scheduled to start 1 p.m. and will be televised on KCRG-TV9 (ABC) with pre-race coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The Copes, nieces of 1990 Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope, will be making their Nationwide Series debut, while Cobb will start in a Nationwide field for the eighth time this season.

“It's great to be here,” Amber Cope said. “It's a great track. Angela and I are excited.”

Cobb, who made her debut on the circuit formerly known as the Busch Series in 2004, said she was honored to be part of the historic moment and that it is another example of the strides made by women.

“On the historical aspect of it, I think it's fantastic,” Cobb said. “It's such an honor that NASCAR has come so far and is starting to (go) further. ... my prediction is within about 20 years you'll see 20, 30 40 percent of the NASCAR race fields will be women. I think that's going to take some time.”

What hasn't taken a lot of time is for this group of women to make their mark in national level of auto racing. The same three, along with driver Johanna Long, started in a NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway last October, which was the first time four women started in a NASCAR national series event. It also marked the first time twins competed against each other in one of NASCAR's top three series. Amber finished 26th and Angela ended four spots back.

Nineteen previous Nationwide races have had more than one female driver in the field, dating back to 1991. The female drivers have waited for acceptance in a male dominated sport. Increased numbers at all levels are an example that it is occurring.

“I think it's more welcoming now than it's ever been,” Angela Cope said. “You're seeing more and more females in the sport. It's just real exciting.”

Many drivers turn to one another for advice or assistance. Cobb said she has been able to approach her male colleagues for help.

“It's very welcoming,” Cobb said. “Everybody's very helpful.

“Even with setup, you can walk up to almost any driver and get driving advice or whatever you need.”

Inclusion does come with an added spotlight for women drivers, according to Cobb. The faults are amplified because they tend to receive more attention than some others.

“The only negative aspect is you're highlighted,” Cobb said. “If you have that learning curve or you have that car that's a little bit out of whack, everybody notices it.”

Cobb has made seven Nationwide starts this season, but has only finished two. The Copes, who are in their late 20's, have limited NASCAR experience outside of the 2010 NCWTS event. They started racing go-karts at 9 years old and were in late models by 15. The duo is anxious for the chance, but could have done without the rain that shortened their practice on a foreign track.

“We ran our last Truck Series race last October in Martinsville, so to make a jump into the Nationwide Series is a big step for both Amber and I, but we're really excited,” Angela Cope said. “We wish we could have got those two days of practice in.”

The key was to get comfortable with the cars and learning about the quirks of the .875-mile oval in the limited time on the track.

“It feels great,” Cope said. “I think we're ready for (Sunday). We'll make some adjustments for (Sunday).”

Many will take notice when they rev their motors for the race, creating a wider track for women to race on. 

Cobb, 37, has a more substantial resume at this point, beginning her racing career in 1991. She has is a veteran driver and owner, who still aspires to reach the Sprint Cup Series. She finished 17th in the 2010 NCWTS final standings, which was the highest finish by a female in a NASCAR national tour since 1949.

The success, and future gains, are products of hard work done without big-time national sponsors obtained by some of their male competitors. The goal is to continue climbing the ranks, hoping it makes them more savvy in NASCAR circles and paying dividends beyond racing.

“Although we're not in the top 10 of the speed charts, we're working on improving each and every time,” Cobb said. “I know for our team, and for you (Copes) now, we're out there, same with Johanna Long, doing it independently.

“We're learning and we're building something. We're going to walk away from this, not just better drivers but better business people.